Celebrating Burns Night with The GlenAllachie

Burns Night is celebrated on the 25^th of January each year and is a cherished Scottish tradition that honours the life and works of Robert Burns. Burns is considered the national poet of Scotland and is famous for his work written in Scots language. It is an evening filled with poetry, music, traditional food, and, of course, whisky.

At GlenAllachie, we take great pride in our Scottish history and culture. Burns Night is the perfect time to raise a dram of our award-winning single malt to toast Scotland’s National poet and his legacy.

The evening begins with a recital of The Selkirk Grace.

Some hae meat and canna eat,

And some wad eat that want it,

But we hae meat and we can eat,

Sae let the Lord be Thankit!

The meal’s centrepiece, the haggis, will then be brought in, often accompanied by bagpipes. Burns’ poem Address to a haggis follows before the haggis is served to guests.

Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face,

Great Chieftain o’ the Puddin-race!

Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,

Painch, tripe, or thairm:

Weel are ye wordy of a grace

As lang ‘s my arm.

Throughout the evening, Burns’ poetry is recited, traditional music is played, and guests enjoy a hearty meal of haggis, neeps (turnip), and tatties (potatoes). Whisky serves as the perfect companion to the evening and as a toast to the poet.

Whisky has always played a central role in Scottish culture, and Burns Night is no exception. Robert Burns himself was a lover of whisky, often referencing it in his works, such as the poem John Barleycorn, a personification of barley, following its life cycle to be eventually distilled to make whisky.

GlenAllachie Pairings for Burns Night

To elevate your Burns Night celebration, pair our whiskies with the evening’s traditional dishes:

• Haggis, Neeps, and Tatties: Pair with The GlenAllachie 12-year-old. Rich honey and spice notes beautifully complement the savoury flavours of the dish.
• Cheese Course: Pair with The GlenAllachie 15-year-old. Its balanced tones of dried fruits and dark chocolate pair wonderfully with aged Scottish cheeses.
• Dessert (Cranachan or Clootie Dumpling): Pair with The GlenAllachie 10-year-old Cask Strength, with its bold flavours of heather honey and rich mocha, is the perfect match for a sweet dessert.

Whether you’re hosting a grand celebration or enjoying a quiet evening at home, let GlenAllachie be a part of your festivities. Raise a dram to Robert Burns and the traditions that make Burns Night special.

Slàinte mhath!